News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Irene marries Carlos

Princess Irene of the Netherlands and Prince Carlos Hugo of Bourbon-Parma were married today in Rome. The Roman Catholic wedding took place in the Basilica of St Mary Major.

According to the New York Times, the guests included "Spanish, Italian and French nobility," but "representatives of European houses were conspicuously absent."

After the wedding the newlyweds were received in a "private audience" by Pope Paul VI.

Princess Irene, the second of four daughters of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, recently converted to the Roman Catholic faith.

None of the bride's family, including her parents and sisters, were not present for the wedding.

Prince Carlos, 34, is the "scion of the Carlist line" of the Borbon House, which has claimed the Spanish throne since 1833. His father, Prince Xavier, the Carlist pretender, has "little chance" again the main Borbon line, headed by Don Juan and his son, Juan Carlos, who is married to Princess Sophie of Greece.

It is from the main line that Generalissimo Francisco Franco will eventually "designate a king, restoring Spain as a monarchy."

The 24-Princess Irene is no longer in line to the Dutch throne because she married without Parliamentary approval.

She wore a "white brocade gown" designed by Balmain and a diamond tiara, the gift of her new father-in-law. As she did not have a member of her own family to give her away, Princess Irene was escorted down the aisle by Prince Carlos Hugo.

They received communion during the service. Following their wedding, the couple were driven to the Vatican for a 10 minute meeting with the Pope.

A reception was held in a Rome hotel for 800 guests. The newly married couple plan to remain in Rome for 24 hours before leaving for the Holy Land.

Prince Carlos Hugo and Princess Irene are expected to live in Madrid.

The estranged relationship between Irene and her parents may in time be healed Prior to the wedding, Princess Irene telephoned her mother.

The Dutch royal family were able to watch part of the wedding ceremony on television but they "missed the last part of the telecast because of a power failure." The Dutch premier Marijnen hoped the "warm feelings" between Irene and her parents and sisters "would be restored."

The relations between Irene and Queen Juliana "deteriorated" after the Princess "declared that she would actively support" Prince Xavier's claims to the Spanish throne. Things became worse after Carlos Hugo's family announced the date and place of the wedding without consulting Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard.

Princess Irene at first objected to her wedding being televised, but after meeting her father last week in Brussels, she changed her mind as Bernhard said her mother "would appreciate it."

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

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All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published without the prior approval of Marlene A. Koenig. You can, however, provide a link to the blog or to a post on the blog. Please credit Marlene A Koenig and Royal Musings. Thanks

Sources

The sources consulted for this blog include the New York Times, the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and The Times. I also consult books and other materials in my personal library. All the photos come from my personal collection, unless other noted.